English vocabulary · B2
Marinate
/ˈmær.ɪ.neɪt/ · v.
It means to soak something in a liquid so it slowly changes and gets deeper flavor. The longer it soaks, the more it changes.
Continue in the learning app for video lessons and review.
Example sentences
- She marinated the chicken in lemon and herbs all night.
- Let the idea marinate before you make a decision.
Word origin and roots
from Latin
- mar — sea (from Latin)
Synonyms and nuances
- SOAK — put fully in liquid (Wet & Full)
- STEEP — soak in hot liquid (Hot & Gradual)
- INFUSE — slowly add flavor or quality (Add Slowly From Inside)
Words with the same root
mar — sea
- marine — relating to the sea
- submarine — a ship that travels under the sea
- maritime — relating to the sea and ships
Lesson notes
Marinate. It means to soak something in a liquid so it slowly changes and gets deeper flavor. The longer it soaks, the more it changes.
Similar words are soak, steep, and infuse. Use marinate when something soaks slowly over time and comes out changed.
She marinated the chicken in lemon and herbs all night. Let the idea marinate before you make a decision.
From Latin. mar- means sea. Food soaked in salty sea water, slowly changing — that is to marinate.